Chapter 3

Gideon was waiting on the grand stage for me to take off my wedding ring.

He didn't know the ring finger on my left hand already belonged to another man.

I sat quietly in Julian’s private VIP lounge. A large monitor on the wall broadcast a live feed of the ballroom below.

Down there, the Hale family was rehearsing.

On the screen, Celeste sat in the center seat.

It was the designated chair for the future hostess of the family.

The massive screens behind her played intimate, romantic photos of Gideon and Celeste from three years ago.

The host stood at the podium, practicing his lines. He called my three-year marriage a "temporary arrangement."

I looked away from the monitor and glanced at the gala program on the table.

My name was still printed under the Hale Foundation's Q3 planning section. I was still listed as the head director. The family's upcoming charity auction was still firmly assigned to me.

My phone buzzed on the glass table.

Two new texts from Gideon lit up the screen.

[Stay after the gala ends. We need to confirm the foundation's Q3 plan tonight.]

[Mother's hospital checkup is next week. Don't forget. I already moved the schedule so you won't be overwhelmed.]

I stared at the glowing words. The sheer audacity was suffocating. He was preparing to strip away my title as his wife in front of hundreds of people. Yet, he still expected me to quietly manage his family's chores behind the scenes.

I didn't reply.

I looked down at the small black velvet box resting in my lap. The heavy diamond ring was already sealed inside.

My left hand was bare, except for the simple gold band Julian gave me an hour ago.

Suddenly, the music in the ballroom changed.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the host announced, "please direct your attention to the main entrance. Welcome our most honored guest, Mr. Julian Sterling."

On the monitor, Gideon instantly jumped to his feet. His entire family rushed toward the main entrance, eager to greet the most powerful man in the city.

Celeste remained on the stage, waiting beneath their photographs.

Julian stood beside the lounge door.

"Ready?" he asked.

I picked up the black velvet box.

Inside was the ring Gideon expected me to remove in front of everyone.

On my left hand was the simple gold band he knew nothing about.

I walked over to Julian.

We took the private elevator to the main foyer.

Beyond the closed ballroom doors, Gideon was waiting to welcome Julian Sterling.

He was also waiting for me to enter alone, return Celeste’s ring, and resume my place behind the Hale family.

The doors opened.

Julian stepped into the spotlight first.

Camera flashes exploded across the ballroom.

Gideon stood at the front of the receiving line, wearing the polished smile he reserved for important guests.

He extended his hand.

"Mr. Sterling. Welcome."

Julian did not shake it.

He stopped beneath the lights.

Then he turned and reached one hand back into the shadows behind him.

Gideon’s eyes followed the movement.

His smile slowly faded.

He knew Julian Sterling was coming.

He knew I was supposed to be somewhere inside the building.

He simply did not know we had arrived together.